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Robust Employment Law Solutions
Client Satisfaction Is Our Most Important Measure
Client Satisfaction Is Our Most Important Measure
As employers face increasingly complex regulations and workplace challenges, the employment attorneys at HR LAW COUNSEL are dedicated to helping clients understand their legal obligations, implement tools and strategies to demonstrate compliance, and effectively manage risk. We represent local, regional, and national companies and institutions in all facets of labor and employment law in union and nonunion environments.
Whether navigating fast-moving situations such as the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting disruptions to traditional workplaces, advising on the life-cycle of employees beginning with the recruitment and hiring process, or addressing and resolving employment and labor disputes, our attorneys partner with clients to help effectively manage their employees and maintain a positive and productive workplace.
Human Resources Advice, Compliance, and Trainings
We work with employers every day to manage their workforces with practical and proactive employment strategies that strengthen their employee relations, comply with legal regulations, reduce potential claims, and inform their business practices.
Our attorneys work closely with our clients' human resource professionals, managers, and executives, and provide advice on day-to-day workplace and personnel-related matters, including performance management; discrimination and harassment prevention; remote work considerations; disability and religious accommodation; leave laws; pay equity; EEO practices and diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives; classification of employees and independent contractors; wage and hour compliance; unemployment benefits; workplace safety; and reductions-in-force/layoffs.
We draft a full range of employment agreements and policies for clients, including employee handbooks, executive employment agreements, offer letters, noncompete and nonsolicitation agreements, confidentiality agreements, arbitration agreements, termination notices, and separation agreements.
We also regularly conduct trainings and workshops on employment topics, including harassment, retaliation and discrimination prevention; supervisory best practices; workplace policies and employee protections; attendance management strategies; workplace violence and prevention; social media policies and related challenges; employee accommodations and ADA compliance; and relevant case law changes. We also offer free resources to keep clients current on important legal developments with email alerts, webinar broadcasts and archives, and annual seminars.
Dispute Management and Litigation
We advise and counsel employers on resolving employment disputes before they become lawsuits. If an employer is faced with an employment claim, we work closely with their management team to engage in a thorough early evaluation and develop strategies based on short-term and long-term interests in minimizing litigation risk and in successfully operating their business.
Our employment law and trial lawyers represent clients in federal and state courts, in arbitrations, and before administrative agencies such as the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the National Labor Relations Board, and state employment and labor agencies. HR LAW COUNSEL attorneys have successfully defended through trial and appeal the full range of employment-related claims, including:
- Class actions
- Wage and hour audits and claims
- Misclassification disputes
- Protected leave claims
- Noncompete, nonsolicitation, and nondisclosure agreements
- Whistleblower and retaliation claims
- Discrimination, harassment, and retaliation claims
- Bargaining actions, unfair labor practice charges, and other union disputes
- Constitutional claims against public entities, including First Amendment disputes
- Breach-of-contract claims
- Wrongful termination, defamation, and tortious interference with contract
- Trade secret violations
Our team also regularly conducts independent workplace investigations regarding personnel at all organization levels on issues of varying scope, complexity, and sensitivity, including sexual harassment or sexual misconduct complaints; allegations involving bias or discrimination; complaints related to FMLA or state-leave protections; complaints of retaliation; and violations of corporate policies.
Employee Mobility
Our clients do business in regions and industries that are among the most competitive for talent in the country. Their success depends on hiring and retaining quality employees, keeping proprietary information away from competitors, and preserving relationships they’ve worked hard to create. HR LAW COUNSEL is an experienced partner at all stages of the employment lifecycle. We support our clients' recruitment of top talent by minimizing risk of claims by former employers. We protect our clients’ business by preparing proactive onboarding, confidentiality and offboarding policies. And we enforce our clients’ rights—in court if needed—when a departing employee threatens to compete unfairly by breaching contractual duties or misappropriating intellectual property, confidential information, or trade secrets.
Client Satisfaction Is Our Most Important Measure
Client Satisfaction Is Our Most Important Measure
Client Satisfaction Is Our Most Important Measure
Executive Compensation and Exit Expert
(5.0 stars. Posted by Danielle, February 11, 2021.)
Ethan came highly recommended by a friend who works at a large law firm and had sent his own sister to Ethan for representation. This matter went far longer than I expected. What I thought would be a simple exit negotiation turned into a dogfight because my previous employer would not waive my non-compete. Ethan suggested we challenge its validity and pursue a compensation claim based on my initial contract. We fought for nearly 9 months -- during COVID! During that time, I received outstanding legal counsel, excellent customer service, and peace of mind. I was always able to reach Ethan either by phone, email or even text and he told me when I would need to be patient because he had other matters to attend to. We were able to invalidate my non-compete and significantly increase my severance due to contractual issues that Ethan was on top of from day one. There is a reason why Ethan is so highly-regarded. I am ready to refer anybody his way.
Smart, professional, detail-oriented, and savvy
(5.0 stars. Posted by Richard, March 9, 2019.)
From the initial consultation to the end Ethan provided sage advice and expert legal counsel regarding my issue. He communicated effectively and consistently throughout the ordeal and my confidence NEVER wavered that he would defend my position aggressively and professionally. His knowledge of employment law is superb as is his strategic and tactical acumen. I HIGHLY recommend the HR LAW COUNSEL firm and Ethan Zelizer to anyone involved in an employment law dispute.
Empathetic and Unrelenting "Bulldog"
(5.0 stars. Posted by anonymous, January 19, 2018.)
I first met Ethan in late 2016 due to a breach of employment contract. I was a President recruited to turnaround a recently acquired subsidiary in the market where I lived. The contract contained a back-end LTI on sale of company, which was to occur in 18-24 months. After much of the heavy lifting completed over 8 months, the company decided to switch gears: and demanded I take a reduction in pay, title and cancellation of the LTI. I said no, and was terminated. I carefully reviewed my employment contract, and started searching for legal advice. Ethan's positive review history led to our initial phone call. After the first call and subsequent live meeting, Ethan put himself in my shoes; and "walked the walk". He explained his own personal experiences that aligned very closely with my own. He helped me through the disbelief, anger, and loss of self-worth I was feeling. The communication was excellent via phone, text, and email, and Ethan was almost always available when I needed him. He was very careful to explain legal jargon and options, and had unwavering support for me. After months of negotiating across multiple venues in 2 states, Ethan was able to negotiate a settlement on my behalf. My family and I are so appreciative of Ethan's efforts, and would highly recommend him to anyone that needs his services. He's the big brother you need to stand up for you.
A fighter and a patient, empathetic ear
(5.0 stars. Posted by Pavlo, April 2, 2017.)
Ethan and his staff came into my life at one of the worst times I had ever been through. They continued being there for me, guiding not only me, but also my wife through an uphill battle against my cancer and my former employer. Words fail me as I try to describe what Ethan has done for me and my family. His confidence, faith, humor, knowledge, patience and wisdom has reaffirmed my faith in the legal system. Ethan pursued my employer for months, first at the EEOC and ultimately filing a federal lawsuit that was then mediated and resolved exactly the way Ethan had predicted. Along the way, he interviewed me and my former coworkers extensively, told me where the case was strong, identified the weaknesses, assisted me in the mundane (like Obamacare) and tenaciously advocated for me like nobody had ever done before. Bottom line is I made the best choice with Ethan and his group. I was lost, and they made sure I knew exactly where I stood every step of the way. To me and my wife ethan will always have an open door to our life, not just professionally, but as members of our extended family.
Everything you could ask for in an advocate
(5.0 stars. Posted by Sue, March 26, 2015.)
Ethan represented me against my former employer who I alleged discriminated against me. I was a Junior VP, an 8-year employee, and I was shattered. Quite honestly, I had no idea how I was going to get back on my feet. Within days, he had written the company with a very detailed letter explaining what they had done, why it was illegal, and what his firm planned to do about it. Days later, the Company was putting a significant amount of money on the table to make this "all go away." The settlement was very fair. However, the way Ethan treated me was really what mattered. He coached me and helped me get my confidence back. He actually did a mock interview with me so we could practice how I would spin what happened at the prior company. He didn't need to do that. He didn't need to review my resume. He didn't need to call me back on the weekends AFTER the settlement had closed to make see how my interviews went. This is how you want to be treated. This is what having an attorney should feel like. I will trust Ethan with just about any legal issue for the rest of my years and recommend him to everybody I know. He's the real deal.